when it's a time to move on?

[duskiness]

When I came to Christianity, I never in fact decided upon which denomination i should belong. I just went to nearest RRC church. I'm coming from a place where "Christian = Catholic".
I have problems with my church (i know, i know - who hasn't? ;) ). Both on theological level (almost everything with Mary, infallibility, I'm often fighting with myself over understanding of Eucharist), and (what's less important) political involvement.
Sometimes I'm thinking that there is a point in being faithful, in being "loyal opposition". And sometimes I feel it's time to go.
So I have question to those who left their churches - where was your boarder line after which you know it's time to go?
If there are others who have stayed - what have help you to stick and not leave?

[Rick Otto]

I was the last one in my family to quit going to Catholic church when I was in the 8th grade.
I knew in fourth grade it wasn't for me when I learned of transubstantiaion, but I had serious problems with it since first grade.

You should study online about Calvin's "T.U.L.I.P."
It sounds like you might "get" it. I did, but I don't agree with his ecclesiology, especialy in the area of church discipline.:)

I don't as a rule encourage anyone not to ttend church, but I do as a principle, encourage them to define it. It has become a very ambiguous & self-contradictory notion, IMHO.

When ya got the time, ya might click on "members" on the purple menu bar above, look up CaliforniaJosiah, & check out what he has to say about the RCC. I like his perspective
Look for an "All posts by~" link on his member home page.

Hang in there, sis... I'll be prayin' or ya. Think about me the next time you bite into a pirogi!:)

[ctay]

There's this lady in my church, she grew up in the Roman Catholic church. She said she started going to bible study and started having questions. She said she talked to her Priest and he told her to follow her heart. So she left and joined a Lutheran church. Just follow your heart, pray to ask God to lead you to do what's right or if you stay ask him to give you understanding.

[brownie3]

Duskiness!

This is exactly.. well not exactly... but pretty much exactly the same question I have, and was gonna make a new thread on it! When do you know that God wants you doing something else? My story is that I became a Christian 3 years ago at Hope (the church name), got married there, got baptized there, all that, and now I feel like there's no growth there for me. The only growth I've had in a long time is from this forum, going to China this past May, and the Holy Spirit has been leading me to pray more (which I'm very very excited about), but I haven't had spiritual growth from Hope for a LONG time. My husband told me he's getting the same thing, but he helps out with half the things the church needs it seems like (it's a church of like maybe 800 people), and it doesn't bother him as much (and I worry about his spiritual stagnation as well).

Tonight I was supposed to help out with the children's stuff, but just up and left because I saw that they moved the library without so much as calling me (I'm "in charge" of that but it's pitiful and I'm the only one that cares any about it), and I got so frustrated with how little people care about each other there... I understand it's a big church and not everyone's gonna care about me there, but do I *have* to have an outgoing personality in order to not be ignored at my own church?! The pastors rarely talk to me, especially the head pastor: he's always talking to the rich middle class adults or the cool high schoolers (these are my husband's words, not mine).

Ok so I ranted a bit but now you maybe see a little of my own dilemma....sorry duskiness I didn't mean to take over your thread... but I really want to know the same answer you're looking for, and soon, because this is driving me crazy!

[brownie3]

I should add that it really does seem like God is asking me to step back from the church, but how am I supposed to know if He just wants me to take a hiatus or to look for another church? Another kicker to my situation is that I'll probably be moving in roughly 2 years, so would God really want me to switch churches in town for just a couple of years before starting all over AGAIN?

[Rick Otto]

And it seems to be the 'nature of the beast'..."churchianity".
Step out in faith.
Devote some time to "personal study".:cool:

[brownie3]

I do a personal study nearly every morning. What are you getting at?

[hairettic]

In the past I have always moved. Changed geographical location, change church. Now, no one else wants to move....and we need to seriously switch churches. So i hear ya, it is hard. I am waiting for God's leading......and plugging in here in the meantime.

[brownie3]

:preach: It doesn't seem like anyone has a real strong answer to this question, which is even more frustrating. Are we too scared to church hop to even consider this issue? Just stay where you are, nobody move and nobody gets hurt? Nobody grows that way either if the church is stagnant or not filling your spiritual needs.:prayer:

I have asked God to show me the next step. I'm at least taking a hiatus, but I'm really just taking this day by day as of now.

[followtheWay]

Just some thoughts here. The Bible gives us some direction on what to look for in a church. In Hebrews 10:23-25, we see that we assemble together for the purposes of holding our confession of hope without wavering, for stimulating each other to love and do good, and to encourage each other. So, it would follow that we should ask some questions about the church we attend--is it teaching the truth about our hope? Is it helping us understand what God says about our hope? Is it an environment that encourages each participant to be involved in ministry--in doing its part, as Ephesians 4 suggests? Is it fostering relationships that encourage each other in the Christian journey--providing accountability, motivation, education, and Biblical relationships?
I personally would caution against not attending a church at all, but I do believe it is ok to check out several churches if you believe your current church is not measuring up to the standards God specifies. Ask to meet with the minister/pastor/other church leader, and find out what they believe. Check out a couple of different services, and see what they teach, how things are run. It's going to require that you study the Scriptures to know what a church should be doing, but it's worth it. The church is God's program for demonstrating His glory in the world today ( I realize it fails in that on occasion), and so we need to be a part of His program. The local church you attend is an important part of pursuing His plan for demonstrating His glory.

[Rick Otto]

I was just suggesting you let study be your main focus for while, but maybe that's not wht you need.

I spent so much time in church, but for years didn't learn very much until I went online in '99. Then I couldn't hardly tear myself away from the 'puter for days at a time.

[hairettic]

it really is more information than you could ever ask for at your fingertips.

[healthygirl88]

from personal experiences in churches i would have to say that if you are disagreeing with the doctrine that much and your getting frustrated you should look for another church. my family has learned the hard way if you try and stay at a church you don't agree with when God wants you to move on(we were best friends with the pastor's family but sadly not anymore) you move on. you don't want to experience what can happen if you don't move on right when God is nudging at you to leave. situations occurred in two different churches becuase instead of just leaving we tried to work everything out because we were friends with the pastors families and everyone else in the church(we helped start both churches) leave before you can't be friends with the people from your church anymore. listen to the slight nudge God is giving you so he doesn't have to push you a little harder. and if you need another reason you can't grow spiritualy in a place where you are not agreeing with what is being taught the church is stunting your spiritual growth you should find a church that will help you grow.

[StTherese]

When I came to Christianity, I never in fact decided upon which denomination i should belong. I just went to nearest RRC church. I'm coming from a place where "Christian = Catholic".
I have problems with my church (i know, i know - who hasn't? ;) ). Both on theological level (almost everything with Mary, infallibility, I'm often fighting with myself over understanding of Eucharist), and (what's less important) political involvement.
Sometimes I'm thinking that there is a point in being faithful, in being "loyal opposition". And sometimes I feel it's time to go.
So I have question to those who left their churches - where was your boarder line after which you know it's time to go?
If there are others who have stayed - what have help you to stick and not leave?
I am a convert to the RCC. I too, have had to struggle with these issues of Mary, the saints, purgatory, the pope...the list goes on! It wasn't until I truly understood the Catholic teaching on these issues instead of others opinions of the teachings that I came to realize the beauty of the Church. Many people struggle with faith. It is in these struggles that God brings us closer to Him and allows us to grow in our faith. Sometimes the devil tempts us in this way also. He would want nothing more than for you to leave the Church. I suggest that you do some in-depth research of the Church and history. Also pray...this is a most powerful weapon against attacks on faith! You will be in my prayers!:prayer:

[Breaking Babylon]

My priest is a convert to Orthodoxy from the RCC. Wouldn't you know it, he had issues with infallibility, the schism, Mary, and so on.

I was with the CoC, originally, where I finally took "study to show thyself approved" to heart. I can thank them for opening my eyes to the fact that in 33 AD, there was a Church. Study showed that they weren't it. My problem, I came to find, was did the Apostles truly meet and listen to overly-evangelical sermon, or engage in such pompous Bible studies? "This is right, that is wrong, God says..."

Big no no. I understood that I needed guidance, but, who was really the guide? God, or man?

Acts 8:30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
8:31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

Knowing nothing about Orthodoxy at that time in my life, I started to look into the RCC, and in a nutshell I found my own problems with purgatory and other such dogma. I lost hope, I couldn't find contentment in Protestant churches and the teachings of that which I hoped to be the holder of Apostolic truths, well...

Moving on.

In another large nutshell, I started inquiring Orthodoxy via The Ancient Way forum and personal study. After dissecting "Call no man Father" and "Why do they worship graven images" and "This Church is a creation of Constantine fusing paganism with Christianity", I attended my first Divine Liturgy, and it was all over from that point. I became a catechumen on the feast day of St. John Chrysostom and I'll be baptized a year or so from now.

Consider the teachings of the Orthodox Church. Inquire via TAW, and I guarantee you that any priest in your area would love to receive your call and discuss these things with you.

May God bless you abundantly during this time.